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Thanks brother. Ive done enough 65s to know what works, where stuff goes, and what shops to use. I have fewer screw ups too after 20 years of doing this. lol
My interior guy retired and the local to me plating shop closed. So i had to find shops to fill that void. I dropped off the seats and the skins a week ago. Was told a month for them.
Best advice I can give is to get everything out immediately. Lead times are way longer, fewer shops, and prices that don't ever come down. Order everything, drop off chrome, and get on a list for paint.
That's the best advice! Any sub assemblies that need to go out need to go out ASAP. I've shot myself in the foot on the current build and haven't sent anything out for plating yet - oops!
On this project, what was the E-Coating process like? Do they have the car for awhile when they dip the car?
Curt Anderson sent me a rally stripe kit when I told him the car would be receiving one. Great template to use to make a stripe in modern vinyl. The banner sticker will not be used.
The tach is a transmitter unit like the car had in 65. I still have that tach but its no longer usable.
That's the best advice! Any sub assemblies that need to go out need to go out ASAP. I've shot myself in the foot on the current build and haven't sent anything out for plating yet - oops!
On this project, what was the E-Coating process like? Do they have the car for awhile when they dip the car?
I had the bolt on body parts of my other car dipped and coated too. Cost was always the issue with doing the body. But I looked at the time id have in labor and materials and it made sense this time. Plus no media clean up or risk of warping.
You get on the list and they do two cars month. They had the car for two weeks. Bake, dip, strip and e coat. It’s industry grade e coat. Passes the thinner test. Either take it on a cart or use theirs. I used an old frame to transport it and used theirs. International Paint Stripping in Romulus MI.
Curt Anderson sent me a rally stripe kit when I told him the car would be receiving one. Great template to use to make a stripe in modern vinyl. The banner sticker will not be used.
The tach is a transmitter unit like the car had in 65. I still have that tach but its no longer usable.
Also had the master rebuilt by White Post.
That stripe kit is VERY cool!
I wanted to include a few pictures I have procured over the years. I know the signage says 1966 but I believe that’s a 1965 442.
That month I was told ended up being a week. I stopped in to drop off some pictures of the front seat. I left the original seat in the trash when I bought the car. Found a better one with a black cover on it. So no pattern to copy. The front seat has the same ribbed contrast vinyl on the back of the seat. I got there in time to stop the assembly without it.
These club coupes have unique interior. Cheap in the day but stupid expensive now. And obsolete. SMS doesn’t have the original vinyl anymore. They also screwed up the pattern on it. Not too concerned because isn’t a show car restoration. And SMS is so difficult to deal with.
The Boston promotion cars all arrived with the stripe and decals installed. From Lansing. The quarter panel was the preferred area but it could be applied anywhere. The stripe looks cool on club coupes. The 442 decal looks cool on tool boxes.
I picked up an NOS drivers side rocker molding. It’s for an extended wagon. I figured the only thing different is the length. Took a chance and bought it. Now I need a passenger side nos piece.
Picked up an nos passenger side fender molding tonight. I have 3 of the 6 Y68 side pieces in NOS.
Is that stainless or aluminum? I had 2 NOS molding that I couldn't identify and when I sold my inventory they went with it. I know where they are and can check to see if he still has them.
Those fender pieces are anodized aluminum. Same as on a 64 Cutlass. I need the driver front and passenger rear.
Ok, the one I had were stainless and he no longer has them. I'm talking to him on the phone as I write. He said said they fit a 64 VC perfect. It's Mark Sain my buddy who had the tri carb 66 conv. 3 speed you judged @ Bowling Green.
Last edited by 66-3X2 442; Feb 11, 2026 at 07:07 PM.
My wife’s away on a cousins weekend, and the weathers been warm. So perfect time to spend hours in the garage. This motor was in my first 442 20 years ago. Cleaned it up the best I can. Replaced the oil pan I cannibalized off it for my white car. Added the tri carb intake today. Everything is bolted down now. Gonna try to paint it tomorrow.
excellent work! Remember the issue with sealing the center carb on AL and AU intakes because the manifold pad doesn't cover the vacuum passage in the carb base--the factory suggested Permatex #1 and I recommend using the 1/4" thick gaskets as well for added stiffness (you may want to use longer mounting bolts with them).
Even with race gas, the Tri-Carbs can flood when the needle/seat fail to seal after drying out over months of non-use. I use the electric fuel pump to add a little fuel, then wait a day or so, allowing the needle inserts to soften and seal again. Watch closely on startup for fuel pouring out of the boosters or vents. If you flood any cylinders, you have to remove the spark plugs and clean out the cylinders, then change the engine oil. Hygrade Jiffy kits use 0.120 openings in the seats (or did when I bought them). 66-3x2 442 (Mike) offers high quality replacement needles/seats but they have only about 0.085" orifices. Fine for stock builds, not so much for racing.
Got the the 400 painted today. Only one problem arose. I never prime engines. Just straight paint. A friend said he has good luck doing it, and since this one has a few coats of paint I figured I’d try it. Glad I did because this crack in the water pump housing showed up. Took it off and put a used one in that I had.
excellent work! Remember the issue with sealing the center carb on AL and AU intakes because the manifold pad doesn't cover the vacuum passage in the carb base--the factory suggested Permatex #1 and I recommend using the 1/4" thick gaskets as well for added stiffness (you may want to use longer mounting bolts with them).
